Newspaper articles of judo injuries resulting in death: 1984 – 2010 [29]
High school women’s judo club member dies from suffocation during practice; opponent is club teacher
The Asahi Shimbun
August 16, 1998
A first year student of Izumo-Nishi High School in Shimane Prefecture, Izumi Kobayashi (15), suddenly fell unconscious during a judo club practice on Aug.14 at around 5:45 pm. She died in hospital about 2 hours later. The autopsy indicated that she died from suffocation.
According to the investigation by Izumo Police, she became unconscious while practicing ne-waza (ground techniques) counter techniques with the club teacher Mr. Kazuhiro Takuwa (36). Judo club practice started at 9:00 am on Aug. 14. It continued after lunch from 4:00 pm. Izumi along with 9 other members attended from 4 o’clock, receiving instruction from Mr. Takuwa.
Charge dropped against former judo club teacher; female student died after training: Izumo-Nish High School
The Asahi Shimbun, Shimane
April 29, 2000
A female student died after judo club training at Izumo-Nishi High School in August 1998. The Shimane District Public Prosecutors Office has dropped the case against the former club teacher (37) on April 28, who had been charged by Izumo Police on suspicion of professional negligence resulting in death. He was suspected of suffocating the first year student (15) by strangulation during a judo club practice while executing ne-waza technique.
